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Ralph
C.
Lindley
POW (WWII)

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Iowa

Ralph Lindley was a member of the air crew of the B-29 named “Postville Express,” the first B-29 to drop bombs on Japan. He was one of five members of the crew to receive the Silver Star. His bomber was shot down on a bombing mission from India to Singapore on January 11 – 12, 1945, and he was captured and held as a prisoner of war.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Master Sergeant

    Batallion:

    793d Bombardment Squadron

    Regiment:

    468th Bombardment Group (VH)

    Division:

    20th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II
    Headquarters, Army Air Forces, India-Burma Sector, General Orders No. 151 (May 4, 1946)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Master Sergeant Ralph C. Lindley (ASN: 37433361), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Right Waist Gunner of a B-29 Superfortress Bomber of the 793d Bombardment Squadron, 468th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy), TWENTIETH Air Force, in aerial operations in the Pacific and China-Burma-India Theaters of Operations Theater of Operations, in 1944 and 1945. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Master Sergeant Lindley, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.